Timing device for pneumatic metal pumps



Oct. 30, 192s.- 1,689,698

I. TORNBERG TIMING DEVICE FOR PN UMATIC METAL PUMPS Original Filed Dec. 192 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 30, 1928. l. TORNBERG TIMING DEVICE FOR PNEUMATIC METAL PUMPS Original Filed Dec. 1924 3 sh t sh t 2 I. TORNBERG TIMING DEVICE FOR PNEUMATIC METAL PUIPS Original Filed Dec. 1924 5 s t -sheet 3 Patented Oct. 30, 1928.

- UNITED STATES PATENT 'o c Isinon ronnnnne, or rLAINrrnLD, NEW JERSEY, AssrG on'ro woo NEWSPAPER MACHINERY CORPORATION, on NEW YoRKfN. Y.,' A oOBrongnbN' or VIRGINIA.

TIMING DEVICE FOR PNEUMATIC METAL PUMPS. W

Application filed December 8, 1924, Serial No. 754,632. Renewed March 30, 1928.

notify the attendant when the plate has been cooled a certain length of time so that it can be removed from the casting box when in theright condition and there will be no danger of its being removed before it is sufhciently cooled and no time lost in allowing it to remain in the box afterwards.

Other objects and advantages of the mvention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to behadto the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a plan of a pump constructed 1n ZICCOI ClEIDCQ with this invention and shown as supplying the metal to themold;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same partly in section;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the alarm and con trolling mechanism on enlarged scale showing the parts in the same position as in Fig. .2, in which the pump is not operatmg;

Fig. l is a sectional view on the line 44c of Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 3 showing the position of the parts when the operating handle is first pulled out to start the mechanism;

F 6 is an end view taken in the direction of the arrow 6 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to 3 but showing the parts in a position which they occupy while the plate is cooling after It is cast and before the-signal has beengiven; and

Fig. 8 is a similar fragmentary view showin the position of the parts when they reach the limit of their motion in one direction, so as to be about to sound the signal to show that the plate is sufliciently cooled.

The invention is shown as applied to a stereotype metal pot 1 having a pneumatic pump cylinder2 with a passage 8 for rece vin the compressed air which is forced 1n to lift the metal. This air exerts pressure on the metal contained in the cylinder and forces down a valve 5 to prevent the issue of metal from the cylinder into the melting pot and cause it toflow up the spout 4 into the casting box The air is supplied to the pump through a pipe 6 leading to a controlling valve 7. l/Vhen this valve is closed, it discharges through an outlet 8 and when it is open it delivers to piping 9 into the passage 3. The piping 9has a connection to a safety valve 10. This valve has a handle 11 which is held by a spring so that the valve 10 is always open except when a finger 12 fixed on the casting box comes up with the casting box and moves this arm to close the valve. The closing of this valve therefore is automatic and controlled by the bringing of the casting box into proper position for pouring. The valve 10 affords an outlet toall the air admitted through the supply pipe 6 whenever the casting box B is not in pouring position. Thus, a simple and eflicient safety device is pro- 'vided to prevent the passage of metal through the spout 4 at all times except when the casting box is in registration with the outlet of that spout.

I haveshown the casting box as of a type well knownnow'andhaving a central shaft 16 on which the cylindrical core is fixed. This shaft is operated by gearing 17 from a horizontal shaft 18 which is operated constantlv by mechanism not shown. On this shaft 18 there isa worm 13 operating a gear 14: on a cross shaft 15- so that this shaft 15 rotates constantly.' This shaft is provided with controlling mechanism as will appear.

For the purpose of manually starting the pump, I provide a handle 20 on a slidingstarting rod 21. This can be moved back and rot-a1 to the two positions indicated in Figs.

3' and 5. In Fig. 3 the starting rod 21 is pushedin and this prevents the flow of air and meta-l. It swings downa lever 22 con nected to the end of the starting rod and pivoted on a stud 23 on the frame. In this position a link 24 pivoted'to the bottom of this lever is forced down, as shown in F 3, and a pin 25 on an arm 26 of the air valve 7 is pushed down by thejupper end of a vertical slot28 in'the link. This closes the valve and bringsa projection 29 thereon against the pipe 6 to limit its action in that direction.

Therefore'the air from the pipe 6 cannot pass through the valve 7 to the pipe and passage 3 and the pump is not operated.

If, however, the handle 20 is pulled out and the rod 21 move d to the position shown in Fig. 5, the lever 22 is pulled up as shown in that figure and also the link 24. This operates on the pin 25 to open the valve 7 and air flows into the passage 3. It may be stated that when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 5, the projection 29 comes up against a stop, namely the pipe 8.

It will be noted that there is a spring 31 connected with a point 32 on the stationary frame of the machine and acjustably conn cted at 33 by a pair of screws 34 with a yoke 35, which is a part of the lever 22, and swings with it. In the closed position shown in Fig. 3, this springis at one side of the pivot 28, while in the open position shown in Fig. 5 it is at the other side. Therefore, the spring yieldingly holds the Valve either closed or open as the case may be.

On the lever 22 there is a projection 36 which, in the position shown in Fig. 5 engages a pin 37 on a clutch arm 38. This clutch arm 38 has a slot 39 in which is adjnstably mounted a pin 40 holding one end of a spring 41, the other end of which 13 held by a projection 42 on an oscillating element 43 and constituting a. part thereof. This element is loosely pivoted on the shaft15. The spring 41 acts like the spring 31 in moving to opposite sides of a stud 44 on which the clutch arm 38 is pivoted on the element 43 and holds the former in either of its extreme positions. The movement of the projection 36 into contact with the pin 37 as shown in Fig. 5 operates to turn the clutch arm 38. On the clutch arm 38 two bolts 45 are secured. These project through a pair of arcuate slots 46 in an eccentric clutch 47. This eccentric is mounted so that it can be adjusted the length of the slots about the stud 44 so as to bring its high point wherever desired with respect to the clutch arm 38. When the arm 38 is turned. by the pin 37 the eccentric clutch turns with it into contact with a disc 49 pinned to the shaft 15 and rotates with it. Thus the clutch arm 38 and element 43 will be carried around with that disc part way. In the motion of the element 43 forwardly after the eccentric engages the disc the projection 42 on this element engages an arm 50 constituting a part of the lever 22 and forces it forward. The parts are so proportioned that this action takes place just when enough metal has been pouredto fill the mold. The parts are shown inFig. 5 in a position just before this action takes place. The projection 42 there is just about to strike the arm 50 and force the lever 22 over to the position shown in Fig. 3, in which the air is cut off from the pump. The projection 42 is just long enough so that it will then pass by the end of the arm 50 and the element 43 will continue to rotate as described. The spring 81 of course holds the valve 7 closed when moved to this position.

Loose on the shaft 15 but in fixed position 8 and turn the eccentric clutch on its axis44 and bringit out of contact with the disc 49 on account of the eccentricity of the former. Therefore this clement 48 will no longer rotate with the disc but will drop back by gravity.

In doing this the rear surface of the projection 42 constituting an integral part of the element 43, strikes a pin 54 on a lever 55 which is pivoted at 56. This forces that lever to swing suddenly about its pivot and cause a clapper 57' on the end of the lever to strike a bell This gives an audible alarm. The parts are so timed that this occurs when the 3 late has had suflicicnt time to chill and become suiiiciently solid to be removed-from the casting box. Of course it will be understood that various other kinds of alarms can be use l for this purpose.

It will be seen therefore that the pulling of the starting rod 21 from the closed position shown in Fig. 3 to the starting position shown in Fig. 5, opens the valve 7 and supplies airto the pump. The metal flows into the mold for a certain definite period of time.

The opening of this valve results through the lever 22 in connecting the eccentric clutch with the rotating disc 49 and causes the ele ment 43 with its projection 42 and other parts to rotate in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 5. The first and almost immediate affect of this rotation is to bring the projection 42 into contact with the arm 50 and rotate that arm with the lever 22 back into the position shown in Fig. 3 and also in Fig. 7 so that this closes the valve 7, as stated, and stops the pump but the element 43 continues to rotate until the pin 37 engages the cam 53. Then the element 43 is released from the disc 49 and drops back to the position shown in Fig. 3 and the alarm is operated as stated. A period of time has (lapsed long enough to permit the casting to cool and harden in the casting box su'lliciently to be removed. The casting is then, removed by hand. In order to do this the casting box is moved out of position so that the linger 1.2 does not engage the handle 11 and the safety device described thus operates to avoid any possibility of the pump being o 'i-irated. Whenever the casting device is turned back to casting position this safety device is closed and the parts are all ready to operate after the rod 21 is pulled out to starting position.

lln

lilo

ill

Although I have illustrated and described only a single form of the invention I am aware of the fact that modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departingfrom the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

Therefore I do not wish to be limited to all the details herein shown and described but what I doclaim is 1. In a casting device, the combination With a metal pump and 'a movable casting box, of a finger on the box, a movable handle in position to be engaged and turned by the finger wnen the box moves to casting position, and means for rendering the pump inoperative at all times except when operated by said finger.

2. In a casting machine, the combination with a pneumatic pump and a movable casting box, of means for forcing compressed air into the pump, a starting device for the pump, a safety device for venting the air from the supplying means and taking the pressure off the pump, and means movable with the casting box for operating said safety device. 7

3. In a device for supplying molten metal to a movable casting box, the combination with the casting box, a pneumatic pump, and means for supplying air under pressure to the pump for operating it, of means forantomatically stopping the flow of air to the pump and the flow of metal to the casting box when the casting box is not in casting position.

t. In a device for supplying molten metal to a casting box, the combination with'a pneumatic pump, and means for supplying air under pressure to the pump for operating it, of a valve for controlling the admission of air to the pump, a rod for opening the valve, and means for automatically stopping the flow of air to the pump and the flow of metal to the casting box.

5. In a casting machine, the combination with a pump for supplying metal to the casting box, of means for cutting off the power from the pump and flow of metal to the cast ing box at a predetermined time after the pump starts, whereby all the castings will be supplied with the same amount of metal.

6. In a casting machine, the combination with a movable castingbox and a pneumatic pump for supplying metal to the casting box, of means operated by the casting box for cutting off the supply of air to the pump after the flow starts, and automatic means for giving a signal at the expiration of a predete-rmined period after the casting box is filled to allow for the hardening of the casting.

7. In a casting machine, the combination with a puenmatic pump for supplying metal to the casting box and means for supplying air under pressure to the pump, of means'on the casting box for cutting off the supply of air to the pump and flow of metal to the casting box at a predetermined period after the flow starts, and automatic means for giving a signal at the expiration o f-a predetermined period after the casting box is filled to allow for the hardening of the casting.

8. In a casting machine, the combination with a pneumatic pump and a shaft operating at a constant rate of speed, of means controlled by the shaft for cutting off the supply of compressed air to the pump and thus stopping the castin operation at a predetermined period after the beginning of the casting operation, saidmeans being operative to continue to act after the flow of metal is stopped and to give a. signal at a predetermined period after the box is filled to signal the operator when the casting is ready to be taken from the mold.

9. The combination with a pneumatic metal pump and a controlling valve, of a pull rod for'starting it, means connected with the p ull' rod for opening said valve to direct compressed air into the pump, a constantly rotating shaft, and means on said shaft for actuating the valve operating means to close the valve after the shaft is rotated a predetermined length of time from the instant of the opening of the valve.

10. In a casting "device, the combination with a pneumatic pump having a valve for controlling the admission of air under compression thereto, said pump being arranged to lift the metal when the air is admitted, of a starting device for the pump, a lever connected with the starting device and having connections for opening the valve when the starting device is operated, a constantly rotating shaft'having adisc fixed thereon, an element pivoted on said shaft to freely swing on it, an eccentric clutch mounted on said element normally spaced from the disc, the first named lever having means for turning said eccentric clutch when it is moved to the valve opening position and bringing the eccentric clutch into contact with the disc, whereby the eccentric clutch and therefore the element on which it is mounted will turn with the disc, and means on. said element for actuating" the lever near the beginning of its motion to close the valve. 7

11. In a casting device, the combination with a pump having means for controlling it, of a starting device for the pump, a constantly rotating shaft having a disc fixed hereon, an element pivoted on said shaft to freely swing on it, an eccentric clutch mounted on said element normally spaced from the disc, the starting device having means for turning said eccentric clutch when it is moved to the pump operating position and bringing the eccentric clutch. into contact With the disc, whereby the eccentric clutch and therefore the element on which it is mounted Will turn with the disc, and means on ment for stopping the pump.

said ele- 12. In a casting device, the combination with a pneumatic pump having a valve for controlling the admission of air under compression thereto, said pump being arranged to lift the metal a starting device for the pump, a lever connected with the starting device and having connections for opening the valve when the starting device is operated, a constantly rotating shaft, an element pivoted on said-shaft to freely swing on it, an eccentric clutch mounted on said element, the lever having means for turning said eccentric clutch when it is moved to the valve opening position and bringing the eccentric clutch into position to be carried around with the shaft, means on said element for actuating the lever near the beginning of its motion to close the valve, and adjustable yielding means for operating on the lever for holding it yleldingly either in position for closing or for openlng the valve.

13. In a metal casting device, the combination with a pneumatic pump for forcing metal into a mold and a valve for controlling the admission of air under pressure'to the pump, of a starting device for the pump having means for opening said valve, a c0nstantly rotating shaft,'means for closing the valve, an element rotatable part way around with the shaft for operating said closing means at a predetermined time after the valve is opened, whereby a predetermined quantlty of metal will be pumped into the mold, a

0 signal, said element having means for operating said signal when it drops back and a stationary cam for disconnecting said signal operating means from the shaft andletting it drop after the shafthas completed a definite portion of its rotatlon, whereby the signal will announce the fact that the casting has cooled a predetermined length of time.

1%. In a metal casting device, the combination with a pump for forcing metal into a mold, of a starting device for the pump, a constantly rotating shaft, an element rotatable part way around with the shaft for stopping the pump at a predetermined time after it is started, whereby a predetern'nned quantity of metal will-be pumped into the mold, a signal, said element having means for operating said signal when it drops back, and a cam for disconnecting said signal operating means from the'shaft andletting it drop after the shaft has completed a definite portion of its rotation.

i 15. In a casting device, the combination with a pneumatic pump for pumping metal into a mold and. a valve for controlling the admission of airto the pump, of a lever, a link pivoted tosaid lever and having a slot providing a lost motion connection with the valve, whereby the turning of the lever through a certain are will open or close the when the air is admitted, of.

valve, operating means for turning the lever to open the valve, and automatic means for turning the lever toclose the valve after the valve has been openedv a predetermined length of time.

16. In a casting device, the combination with a pump for pumping metal into a mold, of a lever, a link pivoted to said lever and having a slot providing a lost motion connection, means whereby the turning of the lever through a certain are will start or stop the pump, and automatic means for turning the lever to stop the pump after the pump has been operating a predetermined length of time, said automatic means comprising a constantly rotating shaft, an 7 element loosely pivoted on the axis ofsaid shaft, means on said element for connecting it with the shaft to rotate around with it, a lixed cam for disconnecting said means from the shaft'to let the element drop back, and a signal device adapted to be operated by said element when it drops back.

' 17. In a casting device, the combination with a pneumatic pump for forcing metal into a mold, and a valve for controlling the admission of air to the pump to start and stop the flow of-metal, of an arm on the valve having a pin, a link for operating said arm having a slot in which the pin is received, a lever to which the link is pivotally connected, means for yieldingly holding the lever in either of its extreme positions, a starting rod pivotally connected with the lever, whereby upon the pulling of the starting red, the lever will be swung to a position to open the valve, a projection and an arm on said lever, a constantly rotating shaft having a disc fixed thereon, an element pivoted to swing freely on said shaft provided with a projection in a position to engage the arm on the lever when the element swings forward through a small arc and to move the lever to close the valve, a

clutch arm pivoted on said element and having on one end a pin in position to be operated by the arm on the lever to swing the lever on its axis, an eccentric clutch fixed on the clutch arm and adapted to engage said disc when swung around to a certain position, whereby the clutch arm will. move around with the disc and carry said element with it, a fixed cam in position for engaging the pin and swinging the clutch arm on which it is located to release the eccentric clutch from, the disc,-where'by the clutch arm and its associated parts will be free to swing back on the axis of the shaft, and an alarm device in posit-ion to be operated by the projection on said element when it swings back to that position.

18. In a casting device, thecombination with a pump for forcing metal into a mold, of a lever, a starting rod pivotally connected with the lever, a projection and an arm on said lever, a constantly rotating shafthaving a disc fixed thereon, an element pivoted to swing freely on said shaft provlded with a pr0 ect1on in a position to engage the arm on the lever when the element swings forward through a small are and to move the lever to close the valve, a clutch arm pivoted on said element and having on one end a pin in position to be operated by the arm on the lever to swing the lever on its axis, an eccentric clutch fixed on the clutch arm and adapted to engage said disc when swung around to a certain position, whereby the clutch arm will move around with the disc and carry said element with it, a cam in position for engaging the pin and swinging the clutch arm on which it is located to release the eccentric clutch from the disc, whereby the clutch arm and its associated parts will be free to swing back on the axis of the shaft, and ancalarm device in position to be operated by the projection on said element when it swings back to that position. V

19. In a device for supplying molten metal to molds, the combination with a strokeless pump adapted to continue the supply of metal to the mold until the power is shut off, and means forautonlatioally stopping the power when a predetermined quantity of metal has been delivered to make the castings all uniform in weight.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

ISIDOR TOBNBERG. 

